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Join our FREE Monitor Trips & Coverage Tours!

Interested in exploring more of Japan?

Want to make like-minded friends?

Want to help tourism in the North of Tokyo region? 

Nearbytokyo.com is operated by Japan World Link Ltd., a company based in Utsunomiya. Angus and his team regularly work with regional governments and tourism associations to help destinations attract more foreign travelers to this area.

We (Japan World Link) are looking for more people to take part in Monitor Trips (Monitor Tours) and Coverage Tours which give foreign nationals a chance to discover nearby areas free of charge and help local tourism at the same time.

These trips are a lot of FUN and FREE, but they are either ‘Monitor Tours’,  ‘Coverage Tours’ or ‘Press Trips’. All are offered free of charge in exchange for helping local tourism. A ‘Monitor Tour’ typically includes a survey and a 1-2 hour feedback session at the end of the day.

‘Coverage Tours’, on the other hand, requires you to take part in casual photo/video shoots (enjoying the destination, i.e. eating ice cream or riding a bicycle etc) to promote the destination, or sometimes we may be looking for someone to write an article for NearbyTokyo.com or post on your own social media. ‘Coverage Tours’ may or may not include a short survey. Finally ‘Press Trips’ are for members of the Press only.

If this is your first time applying, you will need to complete an additional registration form. By registering (Monitor or Coverage Tours: here / Press Trips: here), we can match you up with future trips and give you early access to future monitor trips or coverage tours before they are open to the public.

Upcoming Monitor Trips (Winter 2024-Spring 2025)

We are still planning so if you would like to be informed when we have new tours, please register your interest here (The link will open a google form).

[20th Nov (Mon) - Full Day]
Learn about Ashikaga clan, experience indigo dyeing & enjoy an afternoon in Japan's oldest school wearing beautiful Kimono.

Requirements:
You need interested in culture and history. You also need to be willing to help the local tourism by taking part in a survey etc

Trip includes:
Indigo dyeing, Temple visit, Kimono experience, Ashikaga Gakko visit, Lunch with rare sake.

Date: 20th Nov (Full day)

Area: Ashikaga city in Tochigi prefecture (55km from Utsunomiya)

What we are doing: Culture and History activites

Contents worth:
18,000-22,000yen pp

Meeting point:
JR Utsunomiya sta, Tobu-Utsunomiya sta, Tobu-Ashikaga-shi sta or Ashikaga sta

People needed: Total 3 people (Ideal guest: Female particilant interested in history and tourism)

Spaces Left: You can add yourself to our waiting list from the button below.

*Female only . (Due to lack of changing area)
Click to apply!
Fully Booked

[29th Nov (Wed) - Full Day]
The Story of Takasaki Shiraigoromo Taikannon" Guided Esoteric Buddhism Practice Experience

Requirements:
You need to enjoy visiting Japanese temples and interested in mindfulness. You also need to be willing to help the local tourism by taking part in a survey etc

Trip includes:
Zen experience, Shakei Experience, culture, Shojinryori, Historical building, Nature

Date : 29th Nov (Full day)

Area : Takasaki city in Gunma prefecture (90km from Utsunomiya)

What we are doing: Culture and Temple (Zen) activities

Contents worth:
17,000-25,000yen pp

Meeting point :
JR Utsunomiya sta, Tobu-Utsunomiya sta, or JR Takasaki sta

People needed: Total 4 people

Spaces Left: You can add yourself to our waiting list from the button below.
Click to apply!
Fully Booked

[7-8th Dec (Thur-Fri) - 2 Full Days ]
“HARUNA VEGAN TOUR"
Enjoy high-valued vegetables grown on Mt. Haruna, one of Gunma's three major volcanoes! With harvesting and cooking experience.

Requirements: Vegan or Vegetarian (idealy from the US or Europe). You also need to be willing to help the local tourism by taking part in a survey etc

Trip includes:
Vegan, Farm visit, Vegetable harvest & cooking, Shine prayer experience, Haruna Shrine, Volcano

Date : 7-8th Dec (2 Full days)

Area : Haruna Lake, Mt. Haruna in Takasaki city in Gunma prefecture (95km from Utsunomiya)

What we are doing : Vegan and Culture activities

Contents worth:
40,000-60,000yen pp

Meeting point :
JR Utsunomiya sta, Tobu-Utsunomiya sta or JR Takasaki sta

People needed: Total 4 people (Ideal guest: A Vegan American or European who is interested in Japan)

Spaces Left: You can add yourself to our waiting list from the button below.
Click to apply!
Fully Booked

[11-12h Dec (Mon-Tues) - 2 Full Day]
“Takasaki Sake Tour" A Tale of the Great Sake Cup of 350 Years!
Learn about Oguri Kozukenosuke, who was a delegate to the U.S. and who built the foundation of modern Japan.

Requirements:
You need to be from the US and like Sake. You also need to be willing to help the local tourism by taking part in a survey etc

Trip includes:
Japanese Sake, Sake paring dinner, Sake Koji, Sake Kasu, Tozenji Temple, Oguri Kozukenosuke, History, Miso making

Date : 11-12th Dec (2 Full days)

Area : Takasaki city in Gunma prefecture (100km from Utsunomiya)

What we are doing: Sake Brewery Tour, Sake pareing, Premium Sake Dinner, Miso Making

Meeting point : JR Utsunomiya sta, Tobu-Utsunomiya sta or JR Takasaki sta

People needed: Total 4 people (Ideal guest: An American who is interested in Sake)

Spaces Left: ONLY 2 Left!
Click to apply!

Upcoming Coverage Tours (Winter 2024-Spring 2025)

We are still planning so if you would like to be informed when we have new tours, please register your interest here (The link will open a google form).

Upcoming PRESS Trips (Winter 2024-Spring 2025)

Between Dec-Jan
Experience a stay in the countryside at popular Iizukatei

Tour Objective:
To invide members of the press to experience Iizukatei Hotel.

Requirements:
You need to be a member of the press (free journalists are welcome)

Trip includes:
Stay at a 200 year old farm hous that has been converted into a beautiful hotel. Other countryside activities to be confirmed.

Date: One night stay that suites you in December and January (2 days)

Area:Nakagawa Town (30km from Utsunomiya)

Type of activity: Culture and History

Contents worth:
60,000+yen pp

Meeting point:
TBC

People needed: Total 4 people

Spaces Left: Please register and we will let you know when we open application.

Register here for information
Coming Soon!
Date
Time
Where
Meeting place
What we are doing
No of People*
Requirements
Apply
8th Nov (Wed)
11:50-17:30
Nikko (Lake Chuzenji)
JR Utsunomiya Station (11:50)
or Tobu Nikko Station (12:35)
Paddle boat experience on the Lake
3 people
(Total 3)
Physical fitness = Lv 1
(Feedback session 1 hour)
Apply Here (Open to application)
20th Nov (Mon)
Full Day
( : – : )
Ashikaga
JR Utsunomiya Station
or JR Ashikaga Station
Cultural activities (incl history)
1 person
(Total 3)
Physical fitness = Lv 1
(Feedback session 1 hour)
Apply Here (Open to application)
7th -8th Dec (Thu-Fri)
*1night 2days
2 Days
( : – : )
Takasaki
JR Utsunomiya Station
or JR Takasaki Station
Cultural activities (incl —)
4 people
(Total 4)
Physical fitness = Lv 1
(Feedback session 1.5 hour)
Apply Here (Open to application)
11th -12th Dec (Mon-Tue)
*1night 2days
2 Days
( : – : )
Takasaki
JR Utsunomiya Station
or JR Takasaki Station
Cultural activities (incl —)
4 people
(Total 4)
Physical fitness = Lv 1
(Feedback session 1.5 hour)
Apply Here (Open to application)
17th Dec (Sun)
Full Day
( : – : )
Mashiko
JR Utsunomiya Station*
Cycling, Going to Museums, Shopping
1-2 People (Total 2-3)
Physical fitness = Lv 2
(WIll take many photos and videos to promote a trip to Mashiko)
To be confirmed
18th Dec (Mon)
Full Day
( : – : )
Mashiko
JR Utsunomiya Station*
Cycling, Going to Museums, Shopping
1-2 People (Total 2-3)
Physical fitness = Lv 2
(WIll take many photos and videos to promote a trip to Mashiko)
To be confirmed
2nd March (Sat)
Full Day
( : – : )
Utsunomiya > Sano > Tochigi > Utsunomiya
JR Utsunomiya Station
Sake Brewery and culture activity
3 people
(Total 15)
Able to drink Sake
Physical fitness = Lv 1
(Feedback session 0.5 hour)
To be confirmed

*No of People means the number of people we are currently looking for. (Total -) means the total of participants on this trip.

Physical fitness Lv 1 : I have no problem walking 

Physical fitness Lv 2 : I can walk or cycle for more than an hour.

How to take part in the trips.

Step 1

Choose a trip you would like to join and click apply!

Step 2 

If you haven’t previously registered with us, you be asked to do so. (Monitor or Coverage Tours: here / Press Trips: here)

Step 3

Closer to the trip, we will email you with information for the day.

Step 4

Enjoy the trip! 

(Feel free to share on Social media!)

Articles from previous trips

10 fun ways to enjoy Mashiko in Spring

Read Here

Fresh Strawberries !! - Visiting Yoshimura Strawberry Park

Read Here

A trip to experience Water's blessing and Wellness

Read Here

A trip to experience Tochigi's countryside and culture

Read Here
For travel companies

If you are a travel company, please note this is 

More Articles

City & Town Guides

Read more here

Travel Articles

Read more here

Special Travel Guides

Utsunomiya Night Guide

Discover Mashiko

Edo Town Tochigi

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